Marin drivers bothered, bewildered by soaring gas prices

Terry MacMillan carefully grasped the handle of the gas nozzle, endeavoring to squeeze out every drop before withdrawing it from his gas tank. The numbers on the pump told the story: $109.32.

"It cost $74 to fill it up just days ago," said MacMillan, shaking his head in bemusement. Born and raised in San Rafael, MacMillan just made the trip down from his new home in Oregon to visit family here — and drove straight into a gas price nightmare.

"I was very surprised," he said Monday. "It's strange it's California only. After all, there are refineries right here."

Marin residents' reactions ranged from bewilderment to helplessness to anger as gas prices surged some 47 cents a gallon in one week, according to AAA, from an average of $4.18 for regular to $4.65 — the highest price ever for Marin. And they weren't shy about sharing their feelings as they filled up at a Valero station in Terra Linda's Northgate One shopping center Monday.

"It's terrible," said Gloria Johnson. In response to skyrocketing prices, "I've reduced the amount I drive," she said. The Terra Linda resident walked three miles to the mall the day before, but "I have to go to Corte Madera to babysit my grandchildren and it's too far to walk." Her 1999 car requires premium gas, which was going for $4.84 a gallon at the station. Regular was going for $4.70.

As of Monday afternoon, a gallon of regular cost $4.83 at the 76 station on Francisco Boulevard East in San Rafael; $4.77 at Chevron on South Novato Boulevard in Novato; and $4.79 at the 76 on Tamalpais Drive in Corte Madera, according to GasBuddy.com, a site that tracks gas prices all over the U.S. and Canada.

"The big petroleum companies are making billions in profit every quarter," said Joe Chaplain of Sonoma as he filled up at the pump. "America is on a runaway train of greed."

Gas prices hit their highest ever not just for Marin, but for the Bay Area and the state Monday said Cynthia Harris, a spokeswoman for AAA.

"It's unique to California," Harris said. The spokeswoman did have a note of cheer. She noted that Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday ordered state smog regulators to allow winter-blend gas to be sold earlier than usual and "the Exxon refinery in southern California is up and running." Thanks to these factors, Harris said prices have stabilized and there should be some relief in the coming days.

Meanwhile, commuters, soccer moms and others who must drive are absorbing the costs, albeit reluctantly.

"I feel helpless," said Tim Evans of Novato. "This is the only commodity I can think of where you have no choice. If the price of bananas goes up, you stop buying bananas. But you have to get from one place to another, so you just throw up your hands and deal with it."